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Scientists slam government's changes to Marsden and Catalyst funds

The article from Interest.co.nz discusses the New Zealand government's decision to alter funding for scientific research through changes to the Marsden Fund and Catalyst Fund. These changes, according to critics, are detrimental to New Zealand's scientific community. The Marsden Fund, which supports curiosity-driven research, has seen its funding model shift, potentially reducing the number of projects it can support. Similarly, the Catalyst Fund, aimed at fostering strategic science investments, has been restructured, leading to concerns about the continuity and depth of research in critical areas like climate change, biodiversity, and health. Critics argue that these funding cuts and changes could undermine New Zealand's ability to understand and address complex global challenges, potentially leading to a brain drain as researchers seek funding elsewhere. The article highlights the frustration among scientists and academics who fear that these decisions prioritize short-term economic gains over long-term scientific advancement and societal benefits.

Read the Full Interest Article at:
[ https://www.interest.co.nz/technology/131098/governments-marsden-and-catalyst-changes-are-defunding-our-ability-understand-and ]